The Innocents Abroad. By Mark Twain. First Edition, First State. American Publishing Company. Hartford, 1869.

Mark Twain, often considered the Father of American Literature, led a full and enigmatic life. He was an acclaimed author of novels and travelogues, but also a riverboat captain, a prospector, a journalist, a public speaker, an inventor, and a publisher. He traveled the world several times over. He adored his daughters and wife. He was friends with many of the most notable people of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Much of his experiences influenced his literature which he infused with incredible humor and social commentary. In this volume, The Innocents Abroad, Twain found his literary style that resulted in his bestselling book in his lifetime. It is a humorous travelogue about his voyages in the Mediterranean. It was his second book-length publication. In it, Twain pokes fun at the differences between the past and present, the ancient and modern worlds. He also builds his own character as that of a quintessential American whose culture becomes comically distinct against the backdrop of Europe and the Middle East.

This first edition, first state is in very good condition. Rebound in faux-leather with the original cloth pasted down, very good with some rubbing to edges and rubbing and soiling to original cloth. Text block fine. All first issue points present: correct date on title and copyright pages, missing page numbers to Table of Contents on pages xvii-xviii, no Napoleon illustration to page 129, chapter heading on page 643 reads “XLI”, and five pages of ads at the end.

A scarce first state of The Innocents Abroad.